Classics in Anthroposophy Series

Here Rudolf Steiner provides a path from ordinary thinking to the practice and experience of living thinking. Considered by many to be his most important work.

Many consider this to be an unanswerable question, a futile exercise in speculation for philosophers. Yet all human beings must concern themselves to some degree with this question-if only to have a reason to go on living. In this book Rudolf Steiner not only reports from his unique research real, factual answers for life's "ultimate questions," but leads the reader far beyond such initial reflections. Steiner investigates the supersensible or spiritual regions of the world with a rigorously scientific approach. Instructions in the beginning steps of this approach are given here, as well as clear depictions of the supersensible nature of the human being; the workings of destiny (karma), reincarnation, and life after death; and the several divisions in the spiritual world. Through this, the basic concept and terms of Steiner's anthroposophy are introduced Unlike usual books, this one requires the reader's active inner participation to be complete. "This book cannot be-read in the customary manner of the present day. In certain respects every page, and even many sentences, will have to be worked out by the reader... its truths must be experienced, lived." Book jacket.

Lectures held in Copenhagen in June 1911 at the General Assembly of the Scandinavian Theosophical Society and revised for publication by the author.

Rudolf Steiner's fundamental handbook for spiritual and personal development continues to grow more modern each day. His methods nevertheless remain clearly distinguishable from the many others that are generally available today. First, Steiner's path of spiritual growth is based on the clarity of thought normally associated with scientific research. Rather than denying clear thinking, his aim is to extend it beyond its present limitations. Second, Steiner recognizes as all genuine disciplines always have that the path to spiritual experience is arduous and dangerous, calling for tremendous self-control in thinking, speech, and action. The human being is a unity, and we cannot develop real knowledge without a corresponding development of feeling and volition.

This fragmentary work, discovered among Rudolf Steiner's unpublished writings, is a significant exploration of "Anthroposophy." It marks the initial steps toward a genuine psychology of spirit, employing a phenomenological approach to human senses, life processes, I-experience, human form, and connections to higher spiritual realms. Steiner faced challenges articulating these concepts in 1910, as many relevant terms in neurology, psychology, and cognitive studies were not yet established. Since then, advancements in understanding human senses and cognition have enriched this translation. Anthroposophy occupies a unique space between anthropology and theosophy. Anthropology examines humans through physical senses and empirical methods, while theosophy acknowledges the spiritual essence of humanity through inner experience. Anthroposophy seeks a balance, studying humans as observable entities while exploring the spiritual underpinnings of phenomena through "phenomenological intensification." This approach yields crucial insights, laying the groundwork for a cognitive psychology. The text includes an introduction by neurologist Dr. James Dyson, a foreword by Robert Sardello, and a translator's preface by Detlef Hardorp. Although challenging, this work is vital for comprehending Steiner's perspective on the human body, particularly its formation and function in relation to the spirit.